Lexus Announces Fix for 2011 GX460's Stability Problems

Lexus has released an update to fix its recalled GX460, and if you're an owner they should be contacting you shortly.

"Our dealers began contacting customers yesterday offering to make arrangements to perform the update, and we expect them to get in touch with most GX owners within one week."

Now that everything with the GX appears to be in order, sales will be back on track. While the safety aspect is definitely important, I fail to see how the GX's performance will be "even better". After all, it's still a top-heavy SUV. If anyone from Lexus would care to clarify, that would be great.

Lexus said that it will be continuing to offer courtesy vehicles for people worried about driving to the dealerships themselves.

By Phil Alex

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Lexus Brings its AWD Hybrid Bike to the UK

Lexus has been drastically improving its designs for the past few years now, evolving from tricked-out Toyota and outdated Mercedes clone to having its own, relatively unique lines throughout its model range. Now, Lexus wants to do the same thing for bikes with its Hybrid Bicycle.

Having first shown up at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus brought one of two examples to the UK for the Lexus-sponsored Great British Bike Ride.

Just a quick recap: The LH-B's body is made of carbon fiber, and it has an 8-speed electric gearbox. Not only that, but a 240 Watt motor powers the front wheel while the rider pedals the rear. Power comes from a 25.9 volt Lithium Ion battery, and the motor has two settings: Eco and Power. It even has regenerative braking.

"All-wheel-drive" comes in the form of a belt-run mechanism. Unfortunately, Lexus probably isn't gong to build this quirky new form of bicycle.

For the spec sheet, scroll on down.

By Philip Alex

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Lexus Hybrid Bicycle Concept specifications

BICYCLE	Length (mm)	1,598
	Width (mm)	425
	Seat height (mm)	900
	Wheelbase (mm)	1,080
	Tyresize	20 x 1 3/8
	Weight (kg)	17
ELECTRICAL PARTS	Motor output (W)	240
	Batterytype	Lithium-ion
	Batteryvoltage	25.9V/4.0Ah
	Charge time	Approx. 2hrs
DRIVE PARTS	Gear system	Shimano 8-speed internal gear
	Shift lever	Shimano dual control
	Drive train	Belt drive

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Breaking News: Toyota Temporarily Suspends Sales of 2010 Lexus GX 460

It looks as if Consumer Reports' GX 460 "Safety Risk" story (click here for details) is picking up steam in a bad way. Mark Templin, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager, has just added a little bit to Lexus' press release regarding the GX's rollover stats.

Here's what Templin-san has to say: "At this time we have asked our dealers to temporarily suspend sales of the 2010 GX 460."

Furthermore, he adds that Lexus engineers are "vigorously" reevaluating the GX SUV using the same testing methods used by Consumer Reports "to identify how we can make the GX's performance even better."

Owners, now's the time to call: 1-800-255-3987.

As one website put so well, it seems like Toyota has hit rock bottom and then found a shovel.

By Phil Alex

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Consumer Reports Labels 2010 Lexus GX 460 as a "Safety Risk"

Consumer Reports claims people shouldn't buy the Lexus GX 460; no, not because of its fugly looks, but because the publication deems that it tends to roll over when performing evasive maneuvers (or "emergency handling"). That means it has been labeled as a "Don't Buy vehicle" and a "Safety Risk".

According to Consumer Reports, "the rear of the GX we bought slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control. We believe that in real-world driving, that situation could lead to a rollover accident."

They go on to explain that nothing else in their garage is as poor as the GX in regards to the lift-off oversteer test (i.e. its ESC is slow-reacting), including its Toyota 4Runner platform-mate.

The test is meant to emulate scenarios such as turns that are too tight or avoiding obstacles while turning, both situations in which a driver's "natural impulse is to quickly lift off the accelerator pedal."

Toyota's expected response was that they were "concerned", that they have run "similar" tests without the same results, and that they will try to reenact Consumer Reports' test methods to see if there's a problem.

If anyone owns one of the new 2010 Lexus GX 460s and is concerned, the Lexus service number is 1-800-255-3987.

For reference, the last time anything this bad occurred was when CR tested the '01 Mitsubishi Montero Limited (the SUV that looked like it would tip over in a breezy parking lot).

By Phil Alex

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2011 Lexus IS-F with Torsen LSD and New Options Arrives on UK Shores

Following its introduction at last year's Frankfurt Show, the subtly revised 2011 Lexus IS-F has made its way to UK dealerships with an on-the-road price of £55,595 (that's about US$82,900 or €62,150).

For 2010, Lexus' premium sports saloon gains a new limited slip differential fitted as standard as well as new satellite navigation system, powered by a 40GB hard disc drive that also provides an on-board "sound library" function, with 10GB of disc space.

Furthermore, the tuner in the IS F's 14-speaker Mark Levinson 5.1 surround sound system has been upgraded to receive DAB digital broadcasts and a USB port has been added (in addition to the Aux-in jack).

In addition, the 2011 IS-F can be ordered with a new white leather interior instead of the standard black finish and with new mesh-design 19-inch alloy wheels instead of the standard 10-spoke design, with both features Lexus said that both features are no-cost options.

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Lexus LFA Special Edition Officially Revealed - As if this NEEDED to Happen... [High-Res Photos]

Lexus feels the need to release a sub-model of its LFA. As if the car needs any more attention drummed up; enough people are drooling over this piece of engineering arrogance as it is.

Officially referenced as the SPECIAL EDITION (and not Nurburgring Edition) in the press release , it'll be available in Black, Matte Black, "Whitest White", or Orange.

The LFA SE will come with canards and a fixed wing in CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer); you know, to make it more unique than the other $375,000 Lexus down the street. Also, they'll apparently help at the track aerodynamically.

Power is said to get a boost from 560 to 570 horsepower (ECU work, most likely), and the suspension is "high-power-only", whatever that means. The Special Edition's SWs (special wheels) will be shod in grippy rubber (Haiguripputaiya), which should help get the power to the ground through the re-calibrated transmission.

Whereas a regular LFA's shift speed on a track day would be around 0.2 seconds, an SE owner's rack day will get done just a hair quicker at 0.15 seconds.

There's no word yet on pricing...this is the point where clever people would usually put "If you have to ask...", but I'm not clever, I'm realistic. You just can't afford it. That, or you don't live in the right area with the right roads.

- By Phil Alex

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Lexus Heading Back to 24h of Nürburgring with LFA Supercar - First Photos

A year after one of its LF-A prototype supercars got burnt up (literally...) in the 24 hours of Nürburgring, Lexus is heading back to the famous endurance race, this time with the standard production version of its V10-powered supercar that will be seen for the first time in full-blooded competition.

The LFA features a 553HP mid-mounted 4.8-liter V10 engine which propels the Japanese automaker's flagships model to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 325km/h (202mph).

The two racing LFAs that will take part in the event from 13 to 16 May will once again be prepared by Gazoo Racing.

Led by Toyota master test driver Hiromu Naruse, Gazoo Racing's LFA team will comprise of four Japanese and three German drivers including six-time winner of the Super Taikyu Endurance Series Takayuki Kinoshita; Akira Ida overall winner of the Tokachi 24 Hours in 1995 and 2007; Armin Hahne, winner of the Spa 24 Hours in 1982 and 1983, and Jochen Krumbach, who finished second overall in the 2008 Nürburgring 24 Hours.

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